A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, police said.
The man, who is a white British national, was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon.
Detectives launched a murder investigation into the 78-year-old’s death after she was found with serious injuries at her home.
Her death is not being treated as a terrorist incident, and police do not believe it was politically motivated.
Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said the inquiry into the “tragic incident” was in its early stages, but moving at a “significant pace”.
The former Tory minister’s body was discovered after police were called to the home at 11.40am on Thursday.
Throughout her political career, Miss Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and supported the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
She became a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020 before joining Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in 2023.
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Key Points
- BREAKING: Man arrested on suspicion of murder released by police
- Widdecombe's death not being treated as terrorist incident
- Starmer calls for politicians to 'rise above differences' amid police probe
- Neighbour heard gardener working at Widdecombe's house before police arrived
- Detectives open murder probe into Ann Widdecombe's death
- Ann Widdecombe sustained 'serious injuries' before death
All we know as man released amid murder probe
07:29 , James ReynoldsBritish police said on Saturday morning that a 26-year-old man had been released after he was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Devon & Cornwall police said they will continue to carry out enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation.
Earlier, they had said their investigation was in its early stages but moving at a “significant pace”, and focused on a white male they believed to be responsible.
The then-suspect was identified only as a white British national, aged 26.
Police on Saturday said the man was no longer part of the investigation.
“The arrest formed part of a fast-moving investigation launched in response to the serious incident.”
Police appeal for witnesses to come forward
07:21 , James ReynoldsDevon & Cornwall police are appealing for help in their investigation after a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was released from custody.
They ask anybody who may have seen something, or who has information to share, to get in touch online.
Information, images or footage can be submitted to us via their Major Incident Public Portal [MIPP]. You can also contact us via our website, quoting reference 50260179119 and Operation Hunlen.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.
“We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media.”
He said speculation could be potentially harmful to the investigation and distressing for the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.
Detectives' priority 'remains identifying those responsible'
07:09 , Natalie CrockettThe arrest of the man who has now been released formed part of a fast-moving investigation launched in response to the ex-Tory MP’s murder.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.
“Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Everything we know about Ann Widecombe's death
07:00 , Harriette BoucherDevon and Cornwall Police announced yesterday that a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
They said the suspect was a white British national, who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon.
Police also said Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism police had been consulted during initial inquiries.
They do not currently believe it was politically motivated either.
After receiving a call from the ambulance service at 11.40am, police found Widdecombe dead in her home.
They said she had sustained “serious injuries”.
Her next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.
The investigation is in the “early stages”, but moving at a “significant pace”.
A cordon remains in place of the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations and gather evidence.
BREAKING: Man arrested on suspicion of murder released by police
06:59 , Natalie CrockettA 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.
The Independent's front page today
06:00 , Harriette Boucher
Watch: Kemi Badenoch stunned by 'awful news' of Ann Widdecombe's death
05:00 , Harriette Boucher'Conservatism's virgin soldier': An interview with Ann Widdecombe in 1997
04:00 , Harriette BoucherFollowing an interview with Ann Widdecombe in 1997, Deborah Ross wrote:
I have bought Ann Widdecombe a big bunch of flowers. Tulips, they are. Pale pink and dark pink ones with some sprigs of Sweet William thrown in. The florist and I declare them divine. As does Miss Widdecombe, initially.
"How gorgeous," she whoops with some rapture while making a big thing of burying her nose in them and snorting: "Ahhh, lovely." Well, I say, you've had a pretty tough week. ("Yes, yes, it's been absolute hell.") And, hey, it's not as if you ever got any from Derek Lewis, is it?
Thankfully, she laughs, then says "how kind" before tossing them dismissively on to a work surface where I know they will be left to wither and die. There is no sign of a vase about the place. She never glances at them again. Ultimately, I don't think Miss Widdecombe cares much for flowery things. Indeed, had Mr Lewis ever seriously wished to woo her he would have been better off buying her a book about, say, Religion and Society in Kent, 1610 to 1914. Although, when I later inspect her bookcase, I see immediately that she has it already. (It's between Struggle Safely to Heaven and that other lively read, Where Is God In All This?)
Now, what are we to make of Miss Widdecombe after recent events? Should we admire her? Personally, I am beginning to think we should, but when I tell her this she comes over all bossy. I mustn't, she says, confuse admiration with delight at seeing the Tories in yet more trouble. She knows, she adds, that "I'm bringing more pleasure to the opposition than I am to my own party. I can see that." Then, perhaps warningly: "I do have a brain."
Read more here:
Reform MP Lee Anderson shares photo with 'dear Ann'
03:00 , Harriette BoucherAnn Widdecombe murder investigation latest: The Independent reports from former MP's home town
02:00 , Harriette BoucherWiddecombe 'treated everyone with the same dignity'
01:00 , Harriette BoucherCriminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, saying she “treated everyone with the same dignity whether they could do anything for her or not”.
“We often disagreed but privately Ann Widdecombe never confused status with worth.
“That was her idea of justice. After such a terrible death, she is owed no less,” he added.
Truss: Widdecombe ‘combined courage and conviction with dogged hard work’
Saturday 11 July 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherA look at Ann Widdecombe's political career
Friday 10 July 2026 23:38 , Harriette BoucherAnn Widdecombe entered parliament in 1987 as the Conservative MP for Maidstone.
Her electoral success came after she failed to win the seat of Burnley in 1979 and Plymouth in 1983.
She was well known for her socially conservative views as a junior minister in John Major's 1992-1997 government, and later as an immigration and justice spokesperson for Reform UK.
The former Tory was home office secretary from 1995 to 1997, and later became shadow home secretary from 1999 to 2000, and health secretary from 1998 to 1999.
She left parliament in 2010, and became a prominent Eurosceptic, supporting the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Ms Widdecombe was a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020.
Throughout her political career, she was known for her bluntness and socially conservative views, including opposition to abortion and to equalising the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships.
She also defended a policy of shackling pregnant prisoners during child birth to prevent their escape, and viewed single mothers as poor role models, but was unusual among Tory lawmakers in opposing the hunting of foxes with hounds.
Last person to interview Widdecombe says she 'had so much more living to do
Friday 10 July 2026 23:13 , Harriette BoucherThe last person to interview Ann Widdecombe before her death has said she “had so much more living to do.”
Ms Widdecombe joined presenter Mark Dolan on Talk TV on Wednesday in an appearance he describes as “like any other”.
The interview aired at around 8am, and she was found dead just over a day later.
Mr Dolan told The Sun: “Based on her last appearance you could see she was fit and well, had so much more living to do, and so much more to contribute to public life.
“It’s devastating to think that as I signed off that interview and wished her well, it would be the last time we would speak.”
Ms Widdecombe had been on the show to discuss Nigel Farage’s resignation as an MP.
“She had her usual energy, passion and good humour. She was a conviction politician who did not suffer fools gladly and remained remarkably consistent over a long career,” Mr Dolan said.
“Ann was a regular on Talk breakfast. She always went down a storm with our audience and it’s clear that although she was no longer a frontline politician, she lived for political debate, appearing regularly on radio and television, writing a weekly column and campaigning for Reform UK.”
Former Sky News presenter slammed for calling Ann Widdecombe ‘spinster’ amid murder probe
Friday 10 July 2026 22:53 , Harriette BoucherPolitical commentator Adam Boulton has come under fire after labelling Ann Widdecombe a “spinster” and an “old maid” amid a murder investigation into the ex-Tory MP’s death.
The former Sky News presenter has been urged to apologise for what has been condemned as “awful, twisted” remarks.
But Mr Boulton has refused to say sorry, asserting that he “sticks to the facts” as a “reporter who knew her for decades”.
He added: “Widders herself never gilded the lily and would expect nothing less.”
Speaking on live television after news of the murder probe, Mr Boulton said: “She was very much a spinster, by the end I think you’d probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.”
Former Tory chancellor and Reform UK member, Nadhim Zahawi, took to X, writing: “I hope Adam apologises and retracts these vile remarks immediately.
“Awful, twisted and utterly without decency,” he added.
In response, Mr Boulton said: “No thanks. I stick to the facts. You and your ilk should stop trying to exploit the horrific death of a national personality. Police say no evidence of political or terror motive.”
Ms Widdecombe had previously described herself as a “toothy, dumpy, and a spinster”.
Read more here:
Former Sky News presenter slammed for calling Ann Widdecombe ‘spinster’
Sister of murdered MP Jo Cox 'shocked' about Widdecombe's death
Friday 10 July 2026 22:37 , Harriette BoucherThe sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, has said she knows of the “unbelievably traumatic time” Ann Widecombe’s family is facing.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater wrote on X: “Shocking news about the death of Ann Widdecombe and the subsequent arrest today.
“My thoughts are very much with Ann’s family and friends at what I know will be an unbelievably traumatic time.”
Cox, a mother of two, was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency just days before the EU referendum in June 2016.
Where is Newton Abbot? The town where police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe's murder
Friday 10 July 2026 22:06 , Harriette BoucherPolice arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon.
Newton Abbot is a market town and civil parish on the River Teign in the Teignbridge District of Devon.
It is around nine miles from “Widdecombe’s rest”, the ex-Tory minister’s house in Haytor, where she was found dead yesterday.
The Independent's political editor pays tribute to 'great woman'
Friday 10 July 2026 21:50 , Harriette BoucherOur political editor David Maddox has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, describing her as a “great woman”, with “a sharp sense of humour and was incredibly generous of spirit”.
Ann Widdecombe warns Rupert Lowe's party only obstacle to Reform UK in one of her final public appearances
Friday 10 July 2026 21:35 , Harriette BoucherDaughter of murdered Tory MP remembers Widdecombe's 'compassion'
Friday 10 July 2026 21:22 , Harriette BoucherThe daughter of murdered Tory MP David Amess said she remembered “the compassion” Ann Widdecombe offered after he father’s death.
She described Widdecombe as "warm, principled and unwavering".
In a statement, reported by the BBC, she added that “Ann was a loyal and longstanding friend to my father" and the Amess family and :will always be grateful for the kindness, strength and dignity she showed in the most difficult moments of our lives.”
Ms Widdecombe’s eulogy for David Amess “reflected the very best of her character, warm, principled and unwavering in her support for those she cared about.
“Ann's friendship meant a great deal to my father, and her words brought comfort to so many who loved him.”
Former Strictly star lived alone but travelled the country to attend Reform events and ran a ‘swear box’ on an ex-politician's WhatsApp group
Friday 10 July 2026 21:00 , By Whitehall Correspondent Kate DevlinStrictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe was politically active up until her death, friends said.
She would travel the country to attend events for Reform, the Nigel Farage-led party she joined after a long career in the Conservatives.
She was also a member of a WhatsApp group of ex-pro Brexit MEPs, where she ran a ‘swear box’ fining other members if their language got fruity, especially after a night out.
“And, of course, then she once swore and there was a pile on,” a friend told The Independent.
Devoted to her home on the edge of Dartmoor, in 2024 she wrote in a newspaper column “it goes without saying that I have long since given up trying to convince anybody that I really do prefer to live alone and that the last thing I want is anybody else permanently around the place.
“As for doing without sex, it is as well for the future of the world that most people want it but that doesn’t mean that those of us who don’t should be.”
ICYMI: Here is what we learnt from today's press conference
Friday 10 July 2026 20:45 , Harriette BoucherDevon and Cornwall Police held a press conference on the death of Ann Widdecombe’s death today, announcing that a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.
They said the suspect was a white British national, who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon.
Police also said Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism policing had been consulted during initial inquiries.
They do not currently believe it was politically motivated either.
After receiving a call from the ambulance service at 11.40am, police found Widdecombe dead in her home.
They said she had sustained “serious injuries”.
Her next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.
The investigation is in the “early stages”, but moving at a “significant pace”.
A cordon remains in place of the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations and gather evidence.
Watch: Ann Widdecombe's most memorable moments
Friday 10 July 2026 20:30 , Harriette BoucherPiers Morgan condemns 'horrendous way' Widdecombe's life ended
Friday 10 July 2026 20:15 , Harriette BoucherPiers Morgan has called Ann Widdecombe’s death a “horrendous way” for “a wonderful character’s life to end.”
“Ann was an absolute tour de force - opinionated, combative, fearless, principled, and highly intelligent,” he wrote on Instagram. “She loved a good argument but was great fun too. I didn’t agree with some of her views or politics, but she never demanded that I did.
“She believed free speech was the cornerstone of democracy. I interviewed her for my Life Stories biographical show, in which was she both searingly honest and wonderfully entertaining about her amazing life, we appeared together on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire during which she regularly berated me to the audience’s delight, and we locked horns many times on Good Morning Britain and Uncensored.
“We also texted each other from time to time, most recently when we both had nasty falls and ended up in hospital around the same time. She sustained her injury rescuing a mouse from her cat. That was typical Ann… a fiery, feisty and often hilariously funny battle-axe (she’d take that description as a compliment) on air, a heart of gold off air.
“It’s just awful to think of how harrowing her last moments must have been. My deepest condolences to all Ann’s family. RIP.”
Boris Johnson said his 'sadness has turned to anger' following murder probe revelation
Friday 10 July 2026 20:05 , Harriette BoucherBoris Johnson said his sadness has “turned to anger and bewilderment” following news of the murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe.
“We need the facts as fast as we can,” he wrote on X.
Earlier, the former prime minister said: “I am sad to hear about the loss of Ann Widdecombe, a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow.”
Widdecombe hailed as best female politician since Thatcher
Friday 10 July 2026 19:49 , Harriette BoucherNigel Farage hailed Widdecombe as the “no doubt, the best-known female politician in Britain since Margaret Thatcher”.
“She wasn't just a politician; she was a celebrity,” the Reform leader said. “The thing about Anne is she never ever sought popularity.
“She stood up and fought for what she believed in: a devout Christian and somebody with strong, socially conservative views. Perhaps not popular in modern Britain, but that is what Anne believed in.”
Mr Farage added: “There were times over the years when she and I disagreed, and she never, ever, ever let me get away with anything.
“But our disagreements would be in private, not in public, and that was Anne, loyal.”
Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: The Independent reports from former MP's home town
Friday 10 July 2026 19:42 , Harriette BoucherWatch: Ann Widdecombe's final TV interview on day before her death
Friday 10 July 2026 19:31 , Harriette Boucher'Politicians are vilified and attacked' more than ever, says Reform MP
Friday 10 July 2026 19:25 , Harriette BoucherPoliticians are “vilified and attacked” more than ever, a Reform MP has said.
Andrew Rosindell told BBC Radio 4: “I’ve been an MP 25 years and I’ve never known a time where politicians are vilified and attacked the way that we are.”
“All I will say is, what is this world coming to?
“I hope the government and the powers that be will make sure that there is proper protection afforded to all politicians where there is a risk.”
Police have said they do not believe that the circumstances behind Ann Widdecombe’s death were politically motivated.
Who was Ann Widecombe? Former Conservative minister and firebrand TV personality
Friday 10 July 2026 19:18 , Political journalist Athena StavrouFormer Conservative minister turned Reform UK member and Strictly Come Dancing star Anne Widdecombe died at the age of 78 on Thursday.
Widdecombe served as an MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, from 1987 to 2010, and was a minister of state for prisons and employment in John Major’s government.
She held the posts of shadow home secretary and shadow health secretary in opposition, and later went on to join Reform UK and become a vocal champion of Brexit.
Widdecombe stepped down from the House of Commons at the 2010 election and went on to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Anton Du Beke.
She later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished second, in 2018.
She was also known for her socially conservative views, which included opposing the legality of abortion and widening rights for the LGBTQ+ community during her Commons career.
The statement from her agents said that her career was “driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service”.
Despite leaving parliament 16 years ago, she was “still actively campaigning for Reform UK” up until her death, they said.
Widdecombe returned to politics in 2019 with the Brexit Party – later renamed Reform UK – and won the southwest England seat in the European Parliament election.
She held the seat until the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, before becoming Reform UK’s immigration and justice spokesperson from 2023 to 2026.
Widdecombe was active on the speaking circuit and wrote a column for the Daily Express for 20 years, and in 2013, she published her memoir, Strictly Ann.
Where is Newton Abbot? The town where police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe's murder
Friday 10 July 2026 19:10 , Harriette BoucherPolice arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon.
Newton Abbot is a market town and civil parish on the River Teign in the Teignbridge District of Devon.
It is around nine miles from “Widdecombe’s rest”, the ex-Tory minister’s house in Haytor, where she was found dead yesterday.
Farage 'deeply upset by nature of Widdecombe's death'
Friday 10 July 2026 19:04 , Harriette BoucherReform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “deeply, deeply upset” by the nature of Ann Widdecombe’s death.
In a message shared on social media, the Reform leader said: “I am deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death. I’m pleased the police have caught somebody, a 26-year-old man.
“We don’t know what political motives are, whether they exist at all. Was it a burglary gone wrong? We just don’t know. And I’m not going to speculate at this stage. I’m pleased the police are doing their job.
“Our nation is a much, much poorer place without her. Reform UK is certainly a much worse place without her. I was expecting to see her in Clacton over the course of the next few days. Sadly, that is not going to happen.
“Rest in peace, Ann. A remarkable, principled woman, and a truly dreadful way to die, and a terrible reflection on modern Britain.
“And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous to them.”
What did we learn from today's press conference?
Friday 10 July 2026 18:50 , Harriette BoucherDevon and Cornwall Police held a press conference on the death of Ann Widdecombe’s death today, announcing that a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.
They said the suspect was a white British national, who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon.
Police also said Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism policing had been consulted during initial inquiries.
They do not currently believe it was politically motivated either.
After receiving a call from the ambulance service at 11.40am, police found Widdecombe dead in her home.
They said she had sustained “serious injuries”.
Her next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.
The investigation is in the “early stages”, but moving at a “significant pace”.
A cordon remains in place of the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations and gather evidence.
In pictures: Police surround 'Widdecombe's rest' as they continue to gather evidence
Friday 10 July 2026 18:41 , Jacqui Merrington in Haytor
Polanksi pays tribute Widdecombe after 'shocking' news
Friday 10 July 2026 18:26 , Harriette BoucherFriends say they will remember Widdecombe’s kindness
Friday 10 July 2026 18:09 , Whitehall Correspondent Kate DevlinGawain Towler, a board member of Reform UK, told The Independent “despite her public image of ‘Doris Karloff’” - as she was once infamously dubbed - “she was a deeply kind woman”.
He recalled once, when he arrived hours early for an event with his then 12-year-old son in tow, the interest she took in the child.
“She was plain speaking,” he said, “and of course perhaps her most famous comment was about Michael Howard, that he had ‘something of the night” about him. But I will remember her as a friend and as a kind and thoughtful woman”.
Police do not believe Widdecombe death was politically-motivated
Friday 10 July 2026 18:06 , Harriette BoucherPolice have no reason to believe that Ann Widdecombe’s death was politically-motivated.
Assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Matt Longman told a press conference: “At this time, again it’s early stages of the investigation, so we remain open-minded at this time.
“I’ve got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.”
He said it was too early to comment when asked if the suspect was known to Ms Widdecombe.
“We remain open-minded throughout the investigation, and we’re making those inquiries,” said Mr Longman.
“It’s too early for me to comment further on that at this time.”
He also said her death was not being treated as a terrorist incident.
Police presence will 'remain high' as detectives gather evidence
Friday 10 July 2026 18:02 , Harriette BoucherPolice presence will remain high in the Haytor area following the arrest of a 26-year-old man in connection with Ann Widdecombe’s death.
Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said his force was still gathering evidence and renewed calls for CCTV footage.
He said he was not aware of any ongoing risk.
“Of course, we also want people to feel safe,” he told a press conference.
“At the moment, I don't know of any ongoing risk...We know that the presence of our officers, just to make people know we're there, be available to give advice, etc, we'll be around.
“So you can expect an increased presence throughout the weekend.”
Widdecombe death not being treated as terrorist incident
Friday 10 July 2026 17:57 , Harriette BoucherAnn Widdecombe’s death is not being treated as a terrorist incident after a 26 year old man was arrested.
Police said counter-terrorism policing had been consulted during initial inquiries.
Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman told a press conference: “Detectives from the force major crime investigation team have launched a murder investigation, and are conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death.
“While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
“A cordon remains in place at the property, while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene, and the public will see significant police activity in the area while detectives and other officers continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.
Breaking: Man, 26, arrested on suspicion of murder of Widdecombe
Friday 10 July 2026 17:49 , Harriette BoucherA 26 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The suspect is a white British national, who remains in police custody.
He was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon.
Press conference begins
Friday 10 July 2026 17:47 , Harriette BoucherDetectives from Devon & Cornwall Police have kicked off a press conference into their murder investigation into Ms Widdecombe’s death.
You can watch The Independent’s livestream here
Former Tory leader 'enormously proud to have known' Widdecombe
Friday 10 July 2026 17:46 , Harriette BoucherConservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he was “enormously proud to have known” Ann Widdecombe, as he paid tribute to her.
Sir Iain, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, told Sky News: “The day started with sad news about Ann and her death. I and others reacted to that out of sadness.
“And then, what, an hour, an hour-and-a-half, maybe two hours ago, it suddenly became apparent that this sad news is tragic news.
“We cannot say for certain this is a murder case. But what we do know is it’s a violent act, one way or the other, and that is a tragedy for all of us who were very fond of Ann, and not the right way to go at all.”
He added: “I have to say I was enormously proud to have known her. We didn’t always agree on everything, but we agreed on most things.”
Police ask for CCTV and dashcam footage
Friday 10 July 2026 17:44 , Harriette BoucherPolice are urging anyone who has seen anything suspicious or has CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to come forward.
As they continue their manhunt following Ann Widdecombe’s death, they have asked people not to speculate about what might have happened.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation.”
